County Officials Hope For Extra Pay For Some Frontline Workers

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Berrien County Commissioners can think of another use for federal CARES Act money. During a Thursday meeting, Commissioner Bill Chickering said although many public employees have received hazard pay, it didn’t go to all who should have gotten it.

“We believe there are people beyond those in the sheriff’s department and the jail who are true first responders, acting in their capacities in the line of duty that brings them into a dangerous situation,” Chickering said.

Such workers could include cooks at the jail or animal control officers. Chickering said he met with state Senator Kim LaSata to find out if some CARES Act dollars could go to those workers.

“The senator, quite frankly, was open to looking into this on our behalf. She was not sure how much CARES Act money was left.”

Chickering said LaSata asked for a list of the employees commissioners have in mind. She said she’d be in contact with Senate appropriations officials.